Bib



J. E. BERL sept. 23, 195s BIB 2 Sheets--SheerI 1 Filed June 27. 1956 .a @y fw L @Mw fwm,

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sepnzs, 1958 J. EBERL 2,852,778

BIB

Filed June 27, 1956 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .BYMQLZLUCJM all l ,l

BIB

John Elmer Berl, Baltimore, Md.

Application June 27, 1956, Serial No. 594,191

2 Claims. (Cl. 2-49) This invention relates to clothes protecting devices, and more particularly to highly absorbent bibs which can be used by patients for protecting their clothing and the like.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a new type of absorbent bib which can be readily used by handicapped patients, such as, but not limited to, paraplegics, paralytics, cerebral palsy, muscular distrophy, geriatrics, convalescing and aged persons, as well as by children and adults. t

Another object of this invention is to provide an unique type of absorbent bib which is so constructed that it requires a minimum of physical effort by either the patient or the attendant in putting it on or taking it olf.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new type of absorbent bib which affords the maximum in bib protection and comfort, thereby reducing the quantity of soiled top and under wearing apparel to be removed and replaced with clean wearing apparel.

`And still even another object of the invention is to provide an unique type of absorbent `bib in which the protection it affords will substantially reduce the physical efforts of attendants, with the result that their services can be used elsewhere.

And another object of this invention is to provide a bib construction which will require fewer changes of soiled wearing apparel, thus increasing the life and use expectancy of such apparel.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new bib, the use of which will require fewer changes of wearing apparel as well as changes of the bib, thus definitely reducing the work-load in the laundry.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved absorbent bib formed of woven material which has advantages and comfort not derived from those bibs of the conventional type.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved bib which is preferably fabricated with cotton flannel napped on two sides and which has advantages and comfort not derived from those `bibs of the conventional type.

To provide a bib which is economical to manufacture, reliable and eicient in operation, and easy to maintain and use, are other objects of this invention.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more readily understood from the accompanying specification and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the bib comprising this invention;

Fig. 2 isla rear elevation of the bib shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the bib shown in Figs. l and 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the bib in position on a patient; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken along line 5 5 of Fig. l.

In accordance with the invention, an unique absorbent bib construction is provided. This bib construction consists of structure defining a pad which is formed of a tjce plurality of adjoining stitched sections. The lower portion of the pad is of substantially rectangular shape while the upper portion thereof is of a reduced rectangular shape, with the sides of the upper portion of the pad being arcuate in shape.

A pair of spaced straps are formed at the end of the upper portion of the pad. These straps define a notched section for the neck of the user of the bib. The other end of each strap is secured to the lower portion 4of the pad.

Fastening means are provided for positioning the pair of straps in operative position on the user of the bib. In addition, pocket means is secured to the front of the pad for catching food and the like dropped by the user of the bib while eating.

The pad for the bib is formed of an intermediate Woven layer of material, and it is covered by opposed coverings. A tape is utilized to fasten the edges of the intermediate woven layer and coverings together.

Referring to Figs. l, 2, and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a bib 1t) comprising this invention. This bib 10 includes a pad 11 having a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 14. The lower portion 12 of the pad 11 is of substantially rectangular shape, while the upper portion 14 thereof, which is formed integral with the lower portion 12, is likewise of substantially rectangular shape, except that its two sides 16 and 18 are arcuate to conform to the upper part of the body of a user 17, as shown, for example, in Fig. 4.

The portions 12 and 14 of the pad 11 consist of two outer coverings 2li and 22 of suitable fabric, such as muslin, ticking, Sateen, twill or other cotton fabric, as best shown in Fig. 5. Inside the outer coverings 20 and 22 is a single layer of material 24, such as double-faced flannel or felted mat.

The material which layer 24 is composed of is a series of warp yarns or cords 26 running in one direction,

with weft or filling yarns or cords 28 running in the The lling yarns 28 are substantially thicker than the warp yarns or cords, so that they may opposite direction.

be subjected tota napping process for the purpose of producing a soft downy effect or appearance generally indicated by reference numeral 30 on the outer periphery of these yarns or cords on both faces thereof. The result is a closely woven, strong, yet resilient piece of material with a soft outer surface.

The covering 20 is positioned on one side of the mat of material 24 while the covering 22 is positioned on the opposite side thereof. The edges 34 of the mat or material 24 are aligned with the edges 32 of the coverings 20 and 22, as shown in Fig. 5.

The intermediate layer 24 as well as the coverings 20 and 22 are then sewed through from one sidefof thepacl 11 to the opposite side thereof as shown by the rows of stitches 38 and then sewed at right angles thereto as shown by rows of stitches 40 to form a plurality of stitched sections, such as indicated by reference numeral 42. These stitched sections 42 can be of either rectangular or square shape. It desired, these sections 42 can be made of diamond, oval or any other shape.

The edges 32 of the coverings Ztl and 22 are bound over with a tape 36, preferably of strong fabric material. This tape 36 is folded all along the edges 34 of the mat of material 24 and its folded sides 37 are sewed on through the adjacent edge portion of the intermediate mate of material 24 and coverings 20 and 22, as shown by stitch lines 39 (parallel stitch lines can be used) in Fig. 5. The tape 36 is formed around the edges 32 and 34 as indicated to prevent exposure of the mat of material 24 as well as reinforce the edges of the coverings 20 and 22.

"Atl'the-S end 44-of`the upper portion 14 of the pad 11, there are provided a pair of shoulder straps 46 and 48 which can either be formed integral with the upper portion 14 of the pad 11 or attached thereto by suitable means. The center of upper portion 14 and straps 46 and 48 provide for aform tting around the neck of the userH17 of the bib 10. One 'end 51 of second strap 52 or54 is secured to each shoulder strap 46 or 4S, respectively, by suitable means, such as sewing. The other end 56 of each strap 52 or 54 is, in turn, secured to the sides 581and- 60 of the lower portion 12 of the pad 11 by sewing or the like.

lt is to be noted that the tape 36 is sewed around the edges 32 of the coverings 20 and 22 and edges 34 of the mat 24as wellV as the edges 49 and 50 of the pair of straps A16-andV 48. The pair of straps 46 and 48 are also formed from the pad 11 `as previouslyy described.

vA'strap 61, preferably formed of elastic material or the like, and having one end 62 secured to strap 54, is utilized to hold the straps 52 and 54 (as well as straps 46 and 48) so that the bib 10 will remain in operative position on the user 17 thereof as shown in Fig. 4. The end 66 of strap 61 can be secured to strap 52 by suitable. means, such as by a snap 68 arranged at spaced distances along the strap 61.

The upper portion 14, of the pad 11, is provided with means, such as a pocket 70, formed of the same material as coverings 20 and 22, which extends across the front thereof for catching any food that might be dropped by a user 17 of the bibV 10, as shown in Fig. 4. It is to be noted that the pocket 70 can be secured to either'the upper'or lower portions 14 and 12, respectively, ofthe pad 11. However, it is preferably secured-tothe upper portion 14 of the pad 11.

l.In use, the patient or user 17 can place the bib 10 on the` body, usually without the assistance of an attendant, bypassing the shoulder straps 46 and 48 (as well as straps 52V and 54) over his or .her arms. The user 17 thenV fastens the end 66 of strap 61 to strap 52 by meanso'f one ofthe snaps 68, as shown in Figs. l to 4.

A bib formed as outlined above has been found to withstand long and severe usage. The employment of all woven materials quilted prevents the movement of such materials, thereby overcoming the usual discomfort associated -with materials which lump, felt or Wad, and fail to retain the required resiliency.

'The method of making the bib 10 is simple and economical without losing its effectiveness and cushioning qualities. Bib10 is more eicient than conventional bibs, and it is light and easily handled and laundered.

Obviously many other modiiications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the lappended claims the invention mayl be practiced other than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. An absorbent bib, comprising, la structure formed of thick padding and being of substantially elongated shape,

-said'structure having'a lower lap covering portion and an upper chest `covering portion, said lower lap covering portion being relatively wider than said upper chest covering portion and having substantially parallel side edges, each side edge of said upper chest covering portion being formed along an arc which is a continuation of its corresponding side edge of said lower lap covering portion, the upper part of said upper chest covering portion having spaced extensions diverging outwardly therefrom to form arcuate shoulder covering portions, a fabric pocket extending between and having its sides coincident with the side edges of said upper chest covering portion, said pocket being open at the top and being of greater width at the top than at the bottom thereof, a pair of straps extending inwardly and covergently to the longitudinal axis of said bib structure from the opposite side edges of said lower lap covering portion and to the rear thereof and thence upwardly to their corresponding shoulder covering portions, the upwardly extending portions of said pair of straps being spaced but substantially parallel with each other, with the upper end of each of said upwardly extending portions of said pair of straps being secured to the end of its corresponding shoulder covering extension and spaced inwardly therefrom, and a third strap adjustably secured between said pair of straps to hold the upwardly extending portions of said pair of straps substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidv elongated bib structure.

2. An absorbent bib las recited in claim 1, wherein said padding structure consists of an intermediate woven layer of material and a pair of opposed coverings extending one on each side of said intermediate layer of material and havingfthe'e'dges thereof co-extensive with those of said intermediate layerof material, said intermediate layer of material and pair of opposed coverings having spaced stitchingsv extending therethrough in transverse directions to form a plurality ofseparate sections to hold said intermediate layer ofmateral and opposed coverings together so that -said intermediate layer of material is held in its original position to avoid distortion thereof and binding tape means folded about and having 'its folds covering the meetingedges of said intermediate layer of material and pair' of opposed coverings of said padding structure, said binding tape means being secured by stitching to said pair of opposed coverings and said intermediate layer yof material.

References Cited in the tile of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS '797,434 Homeyer Aug. 15, 1905 879,124 Thompson Feb. 11, 1908 1,389,689 Parker Sept. 6, 1921 1,657,868 Segal Jan. 31, 1928 1,863,527 Stern June 14, 1932 2,222,782 Moses Nov. 26, 1940 m @we r m Nrw.. 

